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FRIENDS OF OSWEGATCHIE HILLS NATURE PRESERVE
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Vision and Construction

Thanks to the vision and dedication of Greg Decker, Stewardship Chair and the Stewardship Committee (through snow, the pandemic, drought, and social distancing), a new Pitch Pine Park and Tree Nursery has taken shape. The park, located at the Memorial Park Drive entrance to the preserve, will help restore pitch pines and provide information about their historical value. The Oswegatchie Hills contain a rare pitch pine grove in southeast CT.  According to Emery Gluck, CT-DEEP Forester, “an estimated 95% of the pitch pine-scrub oak barrens have been lost, making these landscapes the most decimated upland ecosystem.”
Master Gardener, FOHNP member, and EL Conservation Commission Member, Penny Heller, designed the landscape for the site. It includes young pitch pines – which will be left to grow to maturity – as well as areas of native wildflowers, ferns and plants. The pitch pine saplings, once large enough, will be transplanted up to the ridge tops in the preserve to help repopulate the dwindling imperiled species.
 
Greg Decker took freshly cut white oak and steam bent them into curved supports for the concrete benches that look like wooden planks. These curved benches surround a portion of the 20’ circular paver “stage” where talks about the conservation effort, as well as historical uses for pitch pine in Colonial times will be given, and where guided hikes will begin.  Greg also created two entrance arbors that are framed with singed mountain laurel branches, symbolizing the 1962 fire in the Hills. 
 
This project was made possible by generous grants from the Dominion Foundation and CT Society for Women Environmental Professionals, a private donation from Anne and Jeff Barnhart, and support from Rings End; Riverhead Building Supply; Arrow Head Inc. and Thompson Native Lumber. Please support these sponsors and let them know you value their contributions to the FOHNP. 
BEFORE
DURING
AFTER

The progression over time is remarkable!  We are so lucky to have dedicated volunteers creating a park and tree nursery to benefit not only pitch pines, but our community.

Picture
As part of the pitch pine conservation project, we received a donation of 50 pitch pine saplings, volunteers who helped to plant included Ray and Penny Heller, Paul and Barb Whitehouse, Franz Edson and Amy Gonsalves. In addition, Dave Hughes and Birds Unlimited donated and installed a chickadee house along the embankment. Come visit the Pitch Pine Park and Tree Nursery on your next visit to the Hills!

Explore more than 450 acres of beautiful coastal forests!!!

The main entrance is via Memorial Park Drive off of Rte 161, with ample parking adjacent to the ballfields - Trail Guides available at the kiosk.
  • Home
  • News
    • Current News
    • Media Coverage
    • Newsletters
    • Save the Hills Updates
  • The Preserve
    • Need to Know
    • Trail Map
    • The Quarry
    • Trail Condition Info
    • Conservation Efforts
    • Environmental Studies
    • Clark Pond Bridge Project
  • Join & Support
  • About the Friends
    • Stewardship & Preserve Mgmt
    • Board Members
    • History of the Preserve >
      • Preserve Now Owned by EL
  • Run for the Hills
    • Run For The Hills 2025
    • Run For The Hills 2024 >
      • Run Sponsors 2024
    • Run For The Hills 2023
    • Run for the Hills 2022
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • Trail Condition Info
    • Volunteer
  • Photos & Videos
    • Recent Photos
    • Videos
    • Mushroom Photos
  • Testimonials
  • Links